Dear Victoria,


I am now in Oxford once more, missing the sunny weather from my previous base in New Zealand. Since my return from Paris, there has been a constant drizzle marring the return of spring. I have remitted back to exercising on the simulator, but it does not have the same benefits as the great outdoors. As I gaze out my small laboratory window, I see few people brave enough to face the soggy external world. Everyone seems to be doing as I, hiding within the confines of the dry but drafty old buildings of the college.


I have spent the morning on improvements to the equipment that will accompany me to the research station near the Anomaly. Most are already with you, but after the last few months of interesting developments, I decided to add more measurement possibilities; mainly a means to perform signal comparison simultaneously and not just sequentially. This will hopefully widen the possibilities and accuracy when considering out final settings of the product. There will also be additional units to measure the frequencies outside of our current range. I said I would hold off on thinking of the audible range implications of the Anomaly, but you know how I am. I could not leave it alone. Only two additions will do it, but they both need to be modified for the space station conditions and the added transport complications. The units will be completed by the end of the week, so not much of an impact on my current to do list.


I have begun the preparations for my space travel. I will not be exiting the Earth from Brighten Station as you did, but will travel to Calais for my departure. The station in Brighten has sadly been closed due to the lack of passengers passing through her doors. The travel restrictions issued several years ago are taking a toll on the various ports here on Earth and the beautiful Brighten location is the latest victim. The only off planet ports left in the Northern Hemisphere are now in Calais, Greenland and Calgary. I realize the enormous mass exodus that took place over the last two hundred years was distressing to the world governments, but it is disturbing that this type of confinement has to be enforced. I am only happy that the restrictions have not effected out plans. Let us hope my permit will not be put in jeopardy because of the delay in my departure.


I have booked my passage on a similar liner as yours. It is not the same corporation, but one of the ships from the same manufacturer. I have followed your advice and spent the extra coin for a passenger liner and not an industrial transport ship. From your description it was not my wish to travel in that manner. Father also completed the final papers for my migration, so I know it will go as smoothly as possible. I have less equipment traveling with me than you have, but I have the extra complication of my travel companion from Professor Simona. We will meet again next month to iron out the process for transferring her secret cargo to me. The creatures will already be placed in stasis before we leave Earth, but the whole process of storage on the transport and transfer once we arrive at the space station needs to be elaborated.
It is an honor to be involved in this enterprise, but also a bit of additional stress. The operation is all above board and the institute has made all the correct permits for the removal of the creature to New London, so I really am only the escort. There is a bit of secrecy about the transfer since many groups on Earth and on New London have voiced opposition to the introduction of the species to foreign soil. There is also the environmental and animal rights groups to consider. Citizens voicing their concerns that the intelligence of the creatures has not been defined as yet, so there may be opposition from the tiny creatures themselves about being exposed to a new environment. I will not go into this with you, only that there is need for additional security about what I am traveling with when I leave the planet.


As soon as all my plans have been finalized, I will send you my itinerary by strip beam. Since it is a high expense to send this type of message, I will make sure I have all final instructions and information before I arrange it. This way you should receive it close to your arrival time on New London. I am not sure how long before the rest of my messages reach you. I may arrive before them knowing the usual interstellar mail system.


I hope when you get my travel time details it will cheer you that I am on my way. I feel very alone at this time without you and I cannot imagine what you will be feeling by the time I arrive.


Love,
Annalis